World Cup diary: Jenny Hawkins

31 July 2014 12:00

By Jenny Hawkins

Jenny Hawkins at the Wales team hotel.

Storms are brewing in France, not just of the weather variety! Being awakened by powerful thunder and lightning on our first night in the hotel in the early hours of the morning wasn't the only excitement of the day.

After traveling from Cardiff on Sunday morning to fly from Heathrow to Paris, the excitement among the squad was clear.

With the last training game against Ireland under our belts all the hard work has been done. There were many positives to take from the Ireland training game, with many different combinations and phase plays being executed well.

It was a tiring trip traveling to Ireland and back in a day but a lot of the girls stepped up and showed what they could do, individually and as a team. I have no doubt that this gave the coaches a tough job when it came to team selection.

All the hours spent in the gym, all the hours conditioning and working on our attack and defensive drills now needs to be put into practice when we play France tomorrow evening.

There is no shying away from the fact this is going to be one of the toughest games of many of the girls' careers when we face France at home on the opening night of the tournament.

This is a challenge that the girls are relishing in and our training today was the best it has been. Everyone is eager to maximise on our opportunities and perform at our best.

Wales reached their first semi-final since 2013 in the opening round of this season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie recaps on what proved to be an eventful tournament

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series